200 years of innovation
Our adventure began in the valleys of Franche-Comté in 1810. Saw blades, crinolines, table mills, the Grand Bi, the first automobiles, household appliances... over the years, our many inventions have made Peugeot a renowned, familiar, and well-known brand, far beyond our borders. Today, our story continues to be written with you.
1810 • The beginning
Deep in a forest valley in the Doubs, Pays de Montbéliard, two brothers, Jean-Pierre and Jean-Frédéric Peugeot, transformed the Sous-Cratet grain mill into a « modern steel factory ». They started producing rolled steel ribbons and springs for watchmaking.
1812 • Supple, speedy saws
In 1812, the Society of Encouragement for National Industry awarded Peugeot saws a first class gold medal for their quality and price. In barely a year, these saws were already tipped to be a huge success.
1840 • The first coffee grinders
In 1840, Peugeot created its first coffee grinder, the R model, available in 10 different sizes. Until 1870, it was called the « Ordinary Model ». Yet, it was extraordinarily practical. Instead of grinding or heating the coffee beans, it cut them finely to draw out all the aromas.
1850 • The Peugeot lion
In 1850, Peugeot unveiled the logo that would quickly become inseparable from its name: a lion on an arrow. Like a lion, Peugeot tools display resistance, bite, flexibility and speed. The « Lion on the Arrow » brand was registered in 1858 at the Imperial Conservatory of Arts and Crafts.
1851 • The « Grand prix Lamy »
In 1851, the Society of Encouragement for National Industry awarded Peugeot the « Grand prix Lamy » for contributing the development of French regions and the reputation of France throughout the world. This clearly showed that the Lion had long since crossed the borders of Pays de Montbéliard.
Eugénie, a slight muse
According to a French proverb « you have to suffer to be beautiful » And around the middle of 19th century, Empress Eugenie did indeed suffer. At this time, elegant ladies wore heavy horsehair crinolines and fabrics. But in 1852, the ingenious spirit of the Peugeot brothers changed the game with steel crinoline. This cage of metal ribbons connected by springs weighed only 200 to 400 grams. Now less cumbersome, fashion no longer had to be born, but simply worn.
Alice in Pepperland
When writing Alice in Wonderland, Lewis Carroll found inspiration, literally, on a corner of the table ... where there was a Peugeot pepper mill! When he saw this object, he decided to make it an accessory for the Mad Hatter who would keep making the Queen's court sneeze. Even in literature, Peugeot adds a pinch of peppery inspiration!
1874 • The birth of a French icon
Peugeot revolutionised « the art of the table » in 1874 with its first mini-pepper mill, the Z model. It became the symbol of French lifestyle, cafés and bistros. Sober and elegant, this wooden mill was equipped with the Peugeot pepper mechanism, whose performance remains unsurpassed to this day.
1882 • « Le Grand Bi » (the great bicycle)
In 1882, Peugeot embarked on a well-rounded business: the Grand Bi, the first bicycle with unequalled wheels and chain transmission. At the Paris – Nantes 1025-km road race, the first five winners were riding a Peugeot bike making it an unprecedented success.
1890 • Here we drive
After testing a steam-powered vehicle in 1889, the following year, Armand Peugeot produced the first car with a petrol engine. Although only 4 were made, this was the beginning of the extraordinary Peugeot car adventure.
1920 • The first washing machine by Peugeot
Among the many inventions by the Peugeot Brothers, washing machines and wringers started to appear with several different models available: using gas furnaces, stoves and cookers in the city; and wood or coal fires in the country, as well as a large capacity version for hotels. This helped families free up their time.
A Frenchman in America
In the 1930s, Jean-Pierre Peugeot visited American car factories. At a grand banquet, he was told that everything in the room was American. « Almost everything » replied the French boss grabbing the table pepper mill. « This is French » And, turning it over, he added « And, what's more, it's Peugeot!»
1930 • How far will the Peuginox go?
Among the multitude of Peugeot innovations, some remained prototypes. The potential for Peugeot rolled steel, pivoting from one industrial sector to another, was almost limitless. In 1930, Peugeot started work on producing stainless steel dental crowns, but they never quite made it to market.
1960 • The Peugimix
In 1960, the lion started to dabble in pastry-making with its first food processor, the Peugimix. Ideal for whipped cream à la française thanks to the double whisk whip, it was the crème de la crème of cooking robots at the time!
1978 • The Polyrex
In 1978, the Polyrex started to appear in many French households. This precursory DIY concept from Peugeot involved several tools being driven by a single source of energy.
1996 • New turn for mills
In 1996, more than a million mills were sold around the world. The Peugeot mill had more wind than ever in its sails.
2011 • Electric mills: at our fingertips
Triggered at the touch of a hand, the electric Peugeot mill was a huge success with its LED lighting and avant-garde design.
2018 • New battery-powered Peugeot tools
Drills and other cordless Peugeot tools started to make their comeback. As robust, ergonomic and slender as ever, their design was adapted to today's challenges, especially for renovating materials.
Aujourd’hui • An emblematic logo
An emblematic logo - The brand's emblem since 1858, the Lion crawling on an arrow, continues to evolve with the times. Athletic and robust, elegant and determined, with an open mouth but retracted claws, the lion reflects a balance between tradition and modernity. The graphic treatment highlights a design that is both contemporary and deeply rooted in the brand's history. The name Peugeot, both the French brand and family that built it, proudly signed this singular emblem, faithful to its heritage yet looking to the future.